US nuclear base could fuel arms race, warn critics

US nuclear base could fuel arms race, warn critics

The US decision to site interceptor missiles at the Deveselu air base in Romania has triggered warnings from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

The US decision to site interceptor missiles at the Deveselu air base in Romania has been condemned by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).

The base will form a key part of the so-called 'missile defence' system, which critics say risks spurring the development of new missile and warhead technologies in attempts to circumvent the US system.

CND has previously praised US President Barrack Obama for reaching agreement with the Russian government over the reduction of nuclear warheads.

"Despite Obama slimming down the Bush-era plans for 'Star Wars' bases in Europe, these plans remain a threat to peace," insisted Kate Hudson, General Secretary of CND, today (4 May).

The organisation argues that missile defence is "certain" to spur on the development of ever more advanced offensive technologies which seek to overcome the system. They suggest that, while Russia has demanded its full inclusion in the network of radars and missiles, any disagreement over its role may well jeopardise future arms control efforts.

"Putting an obstacle in the way of the elimination of the thousands of nuclear weapons still in US and Russian arsenals is a recipe for a more dangerous future," insisted Hudson, "To do so in an effort to combat a phantom threat from states whose militaries are no match for US conventional forces makes this an unnecessarily destabilising development".

She added, "It provides no greater security for the populations of Europe or the US - on the contrary, it puts everyone at greater risk".

[Ekk/1]

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